Partnerships essential to green shift, forum hears

Regional cooperation is key to the Asia-Pacific's green transition, with the energy and resources sector showing how Sino-Australian collaboration in technology and innovation can help address climate change and other global challenges, participants heard at a forum in Perth on Monday.

The Boao Forum for Asia Perth Conference, themed "Green Transition: Towards a Shared Future for Humanity and the Planet", brought together about 200 representatives from government, industry, academia and international organizations to discuss issues ranging from energy security to green finance.

Zhang Jun, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia, said the global green transition is gaining momentum despite rising unilateralism and protectionism, which have complicated international efforts to combat climate change.

"There is no doubt that this transition, led by energy transition, holds great significance in addressing many of today's most pressing challenges, including reshaping the global energy architecture, mitigating the impact of geopolitical tensions and strengthening economic resilience and security," Zhang said.

The move can also drive a paradigm shift in development models, redefine growth pathways and unlock new opportunities for high-quality, sustainable growth, he said.

It is encouraging to see China, Australia and other regional economies make sustained efforts to advance the transition, with Asia emerging as a global leader in the field, giving "every reason for confidence" and allowing the industrial sector to provide practical solutions, he said.

Andrew Forrest, executive chairman and founder of Australian mining giant Fortescue, said the barriers to industry going green are crumbling amid shared efforts through trade, investment and partnerships.

Australia's partnership with China has been built on decades of trust, trade and delivery, said Forrest, whose company is a major exporter of Western Australian iron ore to China.

"That trade has supported Australian jobs, businesses and public services and also provided China with a secure and reliable supply of iron ore that drove China's extraordinary, unprecedented industrial growth," he said.

Conducted under fair market principles, the partnership can continue to deepen and serve as a model for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Forrest said, highlighting the importance of that partnership in the next green stages of development.

Amber-Jade Sanderson, Western Australia's minister for energy and decarbonization, said the state is uniquely positioned to lead such partnerships as countries accelerate the energy transition, strengthen energy security and develop industries for long-term growth.

Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change, said the energy transition has become a key engine of global economic development.

"While the global green transition faces complex external challenges ... we must also recognize its remarkable resilience," he said.

An increasing number of Asian economies are turning to the green transition and focusing on the energy sector, according to conference organizers.

David McElrea, CEO of Australia's Smart Energy Council, said the solar energy sector — combining Australian breakthroughs in photovoltaic technology with Chinese manufacturing expertise — "represents what's possible when Australia and China work together".

alexishooi@chinadaily.com.cn